Shrinkage-measuring device



Dec. 6, 1927: 1,651,813

c. E. FULLER SHRINKAGE MEASURING DEVICE Filed Auz. 9, 1926 .55 a E 1 Q Z21 0677 to 7 m &. FM

' wtoriu g Patented Dec. 6, 19237.

UNIT s CLAUD E. FULLER, or new YOR n, Y, AssIenoR TO new Yon Baron.HIINDLING j CORPORATION, or NEwYonK, N. Y., aconroaa rron' or new YORK.

SHRINKAGE-MEASURING DEVICE.

Application filed August t), 1926. Serial No. 128,042.

My present invention relates to the manufacture of bricks, and moreparticularly to an improved method of and apparatus for determining theamount of shrinkage in a k ln caused by the burning operation. One ofthe principal methods used to determine the intensity or amount of fireapplied in the burning of a kiln of brick is the measurement of thesettle or shrinkage of the kiln and this measurement takes severalforms,

depending on the type of kiln used, the

most improtant one in the western territory of the United States beingthe use of a series or levels of targets that are suspended from theroof of the kiln shed so as to just touch the top of the kiln of brickefore the fires amount of shrinkage.

are started. As the kiln of brick shrinks, because of the heat appliedthe distance be tween the level or target and the top of the brick ismeasured to thus determine the This method has the disadvantage ofrequiring the operator to climb .to the top of the kiln and make hismeasurement, the top ofthe kiln ordinarily being extremely hot with theresult that in a great many instances the work is shirked and thereforeit is doubtful if accurate measurement of the kiln is known at thepresent day.

In my present invention I have devised an improved method of, andapparatus for, measuring the shrinkage that takes place in a kiln duringthe burning thereof and utilize in connection with such mechanism,indicating mechanism located at points readily accessible and visible to.the operator on the floor of the kiln shed. In the patent granted tome-No. 1,548,7 95, dated August l,

. 1925, there is described and claimed a portwould permit'the usualoverhead crane to able kiln bracing post primarily designed for use in awide span kiln shed and which travel over'the top of the kiln. Thetie-rods used in this system of bracing disclosed in my patent abovereferred to are drawn up fairly tight at the beginning of the burn,

but when the kiln begins to move under the influence of heat, suchtie-rods sometimes get very tight so that it is not possible to attachthereto the usual levels or targets heretofore employed. Further, if theordinary levels or targets are suspendedfrom the roof of the kiln shed,then it is impossible for the now usual and ordinary traveling crane topass over the kiln during the burning period.

I find that by substituting I-beams for the tie-rods, in my patent abovereferred to, that i The object of my invention. therefore, is

an improved method of, and apparatus for,

v sually indicating the shrinkage in a kiln 1 of brick. In theaccompanying drawings lllustrat ing the preferred. embodiment ofmyinven:

tion, i

1 Fig. 1 1s aside elevatlon, and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the lndicating mechanismemployed.

teferring to the drawings, lO-designates side members of a kiln shed,these-side members supporting the roof structure 11. Ad-

jacent to the top of the side members 11 and extending along the'innerside of the walls formed thereby are parallelly arranged tracks 12 onwhich runv the supporting and propelling wheels 13 of the usual.overhead crane structure 14. Parallel to, but spaced apart from, one ofthe walls 10, is a temporary'side wall'composed of members 15, such asare described and claimed in my prior patent above referred to, andextending between the members 15 and one ofv the" side walls composed ofthe members 10 are I-beams 17, but one of which is shown, it beingunderstood that the. others are arranged parallel to and, therefore, arein .behind the I-beam shown; .The members 15, are, therefore, tied tothe side walls comprised of the members 10 in the manner described andclaimed in my patent above referred to. Secured to. the middle lowerportion of each of the parallelly arranged I- beams 17 are bearingblocks 18, the bearing bloloks'being in alinement with each other andthrough each bearing block passes a pipe or rod 19. Suspended from thepipe or rod 19, atintervals along its length, preferably about four feetapart, and therefore at intervals along the length of the kiln, which isdesignated by the numeral 20, are levels or lm targets 21,'but one ofwhich is shown. For

the purpose of suspending the targets or levels :21, I preferably employalight chain 22.

The critical part of the settlingoftlm kiln takes, place on the quartersor slides, of.

- pipes QS a'nd to one end-t each of the pipes is --piv"otal ly 'mounteda shoe 27. To the oth'e'r end ofeach of the pipes 26 is pivotallyattached-the upper end ota' 'downwardlyvextending Wire or rod :28, andto this rod or Wire28,-adjacent its lower end, is secured anindicatinghandor pointer 29." Secured to the sides of the kiln Wallsformed by the members 15 or side Walls are indicator boards 30, therebeing one of such indicator boards for each of the downwardly extendingWires or rods .28. Each indicator board is provided With graduations 31with Which the indicator hand or pointer 29 is associated, and also eachindicator board top and bottom is provided With bearings 32 throughwhich the rods or Wires 28 may slide.

The plurality of levels 21 operate in the Well-known manner of otherlevels or tarthe operator. i As the Tcriticalfpartof the settlingntakesplace, as above stated, in the quarters. or sides. of the. f kiln,

the, shoes, 27 follow,thejmovement ot theldln at these points and"su'ch' 'movemnt' is' transmitted throughthe g'ods 26 and the amount ofsuch movement is visually indicated to the operatorby means, of thepointer 29 and graduations 31. This method permits the travel of thecrane .14 the full lengthoi' the kiln shed. The arrangement is such thatit is easilyreioved from the portablesiding' when it is desired todismantle the. kiln andtisas easily attached .to the siding when thekiln is built in place. i i i Having thus .described-niy.invention, WhatI claim :as new is i The combination, With-a kiln, of a Wall 10-. cated'adjacent thereto, a. second and temporary Wallon the opposite sideofsaidikiln, supports connectingthe .top of Esaid second Wall-"With thefirst said Wall; a plurality of shrinkage measuring instruments vcarriedby said supports, an .-indicating instrument mounted :oni the Walls andmeans tor-con necting the measuring instruments With the indicatorswhereby the extent of movement of the measuring instrument is visuallyindi cated onthe indicator.

In testimony whereof, I have name to this specification.

LA P K signed my

